Stepping through the Senkaimon and beholding the familiar sights of the Seireitei, Kensei couldn't help but sigh.
"Though my titles grow ever grander, why must I constantly shuttle between two realms? Meanwhile, Old Man Yama sits in his barracks drinking tea and practicing calligraphy, far more comfortable than me."
Kensei grumbled, resolving to cause Old Man Yama more trouble to restore balance.
His feet carried him to the Technology Development Bureau's entrance. The moment he entered, familiar arguing voices reached him.
"Thus, your invention utterly lacks reference value!"
"Ho ho, Urahara. You should first learn to appreciate quantified aesthetics."
Kensei couldn't discern their latest dispute—these two argued about everything, from major inventions to lunch menus.
Though generally Mayuri initiated provocations...
Entering the central laboratory, Kensei found Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi confronting each other on opposite sides. Judging by their stances, the argument had raged some time.
Kirio Hikifune, seated nearby as Bureau Director, massaged her temples helplessly—clearly at wit's end with these two.
"Perfect timing, Mr. Kensei..."
Before Urahara could finish, Mayuri whipped around, adjusting the peculiarly designed monocle at his eye.
Spotting Kensei, his eyes lit up, voice carrying some pride. "Oh? Kensei, perfect timing! Witness my latest invention—the Combat Reiatsu Numerical Analysis Monocle!"
Kensei stared at the familiar monocle, mouth twitching.
"This device captures a Shinigami's spiritual pressure fluctuations, presenting their power numerically—assessing comprehensive combat ability! A genius invention!"
Urahara immediately countered, his iconic green-and-white striped hat nearly falling from agitation: "This only detects base power! If I use Shikai or Bankai, how would it respond?"
He picked up a monocle, toying with it meaningfully: "True combat cannot be evaluated by such addition and subtraction. Oh, I forgot—Mayuri, you've only recently emerged from prison. You haven't kept pace with developments."
"Hmph! Don't disparage my invention just because it registered your power at five!"
Mayuri snorted, tapping the monocle's side button, aiming at Urahara. A large "5" appeared on the lens.
"Incidentally, my combat power is 530,000 desu."
Kensei started. Was this Mayuri secretly Frieza in disguise? Even the numbers matched!
"Mayuri, confess—are you of the Frieza clan? No wonder your Bankai's golden."
"Enough, enough. Kensei, tell us why you're here."
Kirio Hikifune intervened. She'd hoped Kensei might subdue these two—instead, he'd joined them, forgetting his original purpose.
"Oh, right! I came with business."
Kensei surveyed the three present—Urahara, Mayuri, and Hikifune—all trustworthy.
Though Sōsuke had warned about Urahara, this project benefited the Three Realms. Moreover, he'd granted Urahara the Technology Development Bureau sinecure—surely no treachery?
"Here's the situation: during my recent Soul King's Palace visit, the Monk privately sought me out."
Kensei's mysterious tone sobered all three.
"He commissioned me—for the Three Realms' stability—to create artificial Soul Kings as backup."
Hikifune nodded slightly. She'd accompanied him and knew of the meeting, but hadn't realized such momentous business.
Urahara's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking clearly.
"Wait—the Soul King is His Majesty? Why create an artificial one?"
Mayuri was bewildered. Everyone else seemed to know Soul King secrets?
"Well... let Hikifune or Urahara explain later."
Kensei had no patience to recount everything. Why Urahara knew—best not scrutinize.
"Tch. If the goal's a new Soul King, what of the old?"
"We'll put the old one on turntable..."
Kensei caught himself just in time, coughing dryly. "Contingency planning! What if someone worse than the Tsunayashiro appears?"
"Understandable concerns, but replicating the Soul King's near-divine abilities is nearly impossible..."
Urahara was already contemplating—even he found this daunting.
"Indeed trouble. To avoid accidents, we can't research openly at the Bureau."
Hikifune tapped the desk, thinking before speaking: "Urahara, Mayuri—establish a secret laboratory in a hidden location."
"Fascinating research, but without even the Soul King's dandruff—let alone ontology—where do we begin?"
Mayuri's words cooled Urahara's excitement. True—research required starting points.
Both gazed expectantly at Kensei.
He'd proposed this; surely he had material or research direction?
"I have some Soul King fragments—not many. Use sparingly."
Kensei reminded, producing remnants collected from Tsunayashiro ruins.
He should have asked Sōsuke to retain more. Now, substantial fragments meant targeting Rangiku or Ukitake.
Brother Ukitake—perhaps sacrifice a little? The Soul King's right arm was large—a small piece wouldn't matter.
"Hikifune, I'll rely on you to oversee this."
"Rest assured. No major issues."
Hikifune waved dismissively.
"Since you're here, want to see our recent inventions? Something might interest you."
Urahara pocketed the precious fragments, resuming his grin.
"No thanks. Other business awaits."
Kensei declined hastily. He intended to visit Ukitake—perhaps cure his illness?
If cured, would Ukitake join Kyōraku in visiting pleasure quarters? Old Man Yama's reputation would completely collapse.
Kensei's lips curled—he'd found a way to distress Old Man Yama.